This Fishnet Hack Is the Easiest Trick for Creating a Mermaid Halloween Makeup Look

There are more variations and versions of mermaids from movies and books than I can list here, but one characteristic they all have in common: scales. Follow the below steps to find out how you can easily create a scaly texture with makeup for your next Halloween costume.

Kathleen Kamphausen

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

1. Slide fishnet tights over the top half of your face. Cut apart the leg from a pair of tights and slide it over your head like a hat. Continue pulling the tights lower until you've covered your face or until the area where you want to create "scales" is covered. The key to pulling off this step is keeping the holes perfectly positioned so the shape of the "scales" stays consistent.

2. Use a spray bottle or a wet sponge to dampen the skin along your temples. To make the eye shadows appear more pigmented and paint-like in the next step, wet the skin where you you want to apply your scales. Another option is to dip your brushes in water or dampen them with a setting spray.

3. Pat a shimmery blue eye shadow onto your temple. With one hand holding the tights firmly in place, use your other hand to dip an eye shadow brush in a bright blue shade, like Urban Decay Eyeshadow in "Mermaid Blue Shimmer." Then, pat it onto the skin that's peeking through the holes of the netting.

4. Layer shimmery sea green shadow on top of the blue. Using the same technique in step three, press this lighter color onto your skin. The added green will create an iridescent effect on top of the blue.

6. Use a teal liquid liner to line your eyes. You could stop at just the scales, or you can make your look even more convincing with some sea green metallic liner. Try Maybelline Master Precise Ink Metallic Liquid Liner in "Teal Galaxy."

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.